Need advice for submissive rescue Coton

by Charlotte

hi, I rescued a Coton, Celeste, last May. She was a puppy mill dog, this month is 9yrs. I have gotten her to walk around a little, go outside and come back in by herself. Problem I hope someone can help with- not looking anyone in the eye. I read in this article could be submissive trait, probably from being caged for so many years.


Maybe someone could give thoughts on how to help her with this? Please do e mail with anything readers can think of to help me help her become more social and accepting of people. Thank you much...

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Oct 01, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Glad to hear good news for my Celeste NEW
by: Charlotte

Thank you for your input... I have had Celeste for a year, after reading some of the suggestions here, I have used the "Look at me". I have her lo
ok at me by holding the sides of her face so I can look in her eyes... It is working... most of the time... Now she does not look away and even has looked at strangers when her name is called... WE did get another dog to help her a month after we got her last May.. Duncan has taught her to bark when hubby is getting up to come into living room... She has also been sleeping closer to me in the bed at night.. With her backside touching me sometimes, so I call that progress also... I am so glad to hear other pets in same situation come around so I have lots of hope for mine... I love her to bits and I think she knows it... Thanks again for the input....
Sep 30, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Walk time NEW
by: Anonymous

My coton is a retired puppy mill breeder. After a year or so she was capable of looking at me. Took another year for her 'sass'. She likes people who have dogs and she can see the other dog likes their person. See if you can borrow a dog to try to teach your dog that you can be trusted. I also taught her 'touch' (my hand) in case she wound up in a stressful situation to distract her. She will come around.
Jun 03, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		to owner of puppy mill dog also NEW
by: Charlotte Winkler

Thank you for your comments... Celeste is doing real well for being here for a year as you stated it sometimes takes years for them to come around.

Celeste will go "outside" to do her business and now she will come inside on her own... When she runs in the yard she looks so happy and carefree. Sometimes she waits for me to call her and then she zips across the yard and leaps up onto the porch to come in, a sight to behold in these Cotons. I have never seen another dog leap like these guys do. Must be a Coton trait...

Will keep everyone updated and try all suggestions... Thank you all for caring and sharing. Charlotte
Jun 01, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		submissive coton NEW
by: sherry cotton candie

So glad you have rescued this little dog and she now has a loving home. I also got a female puppy mill rescue back in 2012 and the best advice I can tell you is give her lots of love and time.

Mine would run and tremble from us and it was so pitiful and sad to see her fear. It has taken years for her to accept new people touching her and like yours she did not like eye contact, would watch us until we would make contact--then run away.

Just try and be patient and speak softly, mine still does not like loud voices or noise. We cannot even imagine what they have been thru and need to give them love and space. She will come around in her time.

Good luck with her and please keep us posted as to her progress.
May 31, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Rescue NEW
by: Vicky & Jonah

Just remember dogs love hotdogs & their a good motivator to move this eyes to side of face. Bologna, cook been or chicken liver. A treat that slides easier & excites them.

Sometimes we get stuck in that rut giving the dogs excuses for y they aren't learning. Just remember they r our excuses not the dogs. Dogs r resilient. They get that their in a loving household. If ur excited to teach 'watch me' then their excited to learn.

Dogs easily forget the past when they get love. It's us who seems to think the past is important. Look at it as an adventure u & ur dog r going to do together so if u get positive & Excited so do they.
May 31, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Helping submissive dog NEW
by: Charlotte Winkler

Thank you all for the thoughts on helping Celeste to have more confidence and not be submissive. I will all the suggestions listed here today.

I do put her on my lap and keep my face in front of her eyes but she still tries to avoid looking in my eyes. It seems like she was forced to do what the owners wanted and she cannot look at anyone. My daughter pets, talks to her but she avoids looking at her also, same with husband. When she lowers her head and turns away she looks so sad, yet when I leave the room she is looking for me.

We found her at local SPCA, did not know what breed she was, just so sad sitting in corner,would not move or look at anyone. We had to take her home with us....

Will let you know what happens with the treat suggestion. any and all thoughts are welcome, especially if anyone has worked with caged puppy mill dogs.... Thank you Charlotte
May 30, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Confidence building NEW
by: Vicky & Jonah

Just as previous post said. Watch Me command. I use it all the time on fosters. Use hotdog works the best. Cut slice into 6-8 pieces so they don't get to much. If ur dog has a tendency to put on weight soak one over night then boil it for a while to lose most of salt. Do this weather using chicken, Turkey or reg dogs. It works well b/c it slides down throat easily. U can do this trick sitting on bed, couch whatever is a comfortable situation for ur dog. If your not sure how to teach trick, go to YouTube.com/zakgeorge or visit his face book page for tips, tricks on positive training methods.
May 29, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Training NEW
by: Anonymous

You could try to teach her "watch me" by holding a treat close to your forehead between your eyes and say "watch me" and when she does give her the treat. If she can't do that, start lower with the treat and gradually raise it to the level of your eyes over time.

Sometimes you have to look for a behavior that is close to what you want and slowly refine it until you get the desired behavior .
May 29, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Rescue coton NEW
by: Anonymous

How did you find a coton to rescue? We would very much like to rescue or Foster cotons. Our 5 year old Flurry could use a playmate. Maybe try to train yours to look at you - give her a treat when she does. How is she around other dogs? Have her watch you interact with a happy, loving pup. She will learn from other dogs.

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